Psychosocial Correlates of HIV-related Sexual Risk Factors among Male Clients in Southern India

BACKGROUND: Due to one of the highest HIV prevalent province in Oman, Voluntary Counselling Testing (VCT) services were integrated in health system of Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman since December 2014. AIM & OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to analyze the situation on HIV rapid testing in Al Buraimi Governorate with objective to identify client’s risk factor among common age group and gender. METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional retrospective study was conducted in Al Buraimi Governorate, Oman among 1412 registered adult VCT clients, unbooked pregnant women with no documented HIV status at the time of delivery or abortion at Buraimi Hospital and clients during outreach community awareness activities on HIV. Retrospective analysis was performed for 3 years from December 2014 to December 2017 on parameters like Age, gender, nationality, risk factors, outcome and place of testing (Hospital and Outreach) using standard national client information form. Descriptive statistics was applied in Microsoft excel and SPSS version 24. Clients’ personal information and confidentiality of the record was maintained during entire study period with approval from regional research and ethical review committee. RESULTS: Of 1412 clients for Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs), 990 (70.1%) were females and 422 (29.9%) were males with mean age 27.13±7.02. Majority, 806 (57.1%) RDTs were in outreach followed by 470 (33.3%) and 136 (9.6%) at Maternity ward and Couselling Clinic respectively. Clients included 1294 (91.6%) Omani nationals and 118 (8.4%) non-Omani nationals. The risky behavior was found to be 126 (9%) among clients with heterosexual contributes 65 (4.6%). Among all risk factors, male clients contributed 124 (8.7%) with common age group 26-35 years 56 (3.9%). CONCLUSION: RDTs were utilized mainly during outreach activities that highlight the need of promoting VCT facilities in the clinical setting as services are available 24/7 through hotline. This baseline study would facilitate to develop plan for client’s risk reduction.

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Prevalence of intimate partner violence among pregnant women attending a public sector hospital in Bengaluru, southern India

The National Medical Journal of India ◽

10.25259/nmji_309_19 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 132-137

Author(s):

ANITA NATH ◽

SHUBHASHREE VENKATESH ◽

J. VINDHYA ◽

SHEEBA BALAN ◽

CHANDRA S. METGUD

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Public Sector ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Unplanned Pregnancy ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Southern India ◽

Public Sector Hospital

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is recognized as an important public health problem globally as well as in India. It may result in adverse physical and mental health consequences for the victim or unfavourable pregnancy outcomes if it happens during pregnancy. The possible risk factors for IPV can be explained by four levels of ecological factors: individual, partner, household and community. We estimated the prevalence of IPV and its association with selected ecological risk factors among pregnant women availing of antenatal care at a public sector hospital in Bengaluru, southern India. Methods We included 350 women above the age of 18 years with a confirmed pregnancy of less than 24 weeks and having no obstetric complication. We used the Conflict Tactics Scale to determine the presence of IPV. The risk factors measured were—individual level: respondent’s age, education, occupation, gravidity, planned or unplanned pregnancy, substance abuse, presence of depression and anxiety; partner-related: spouse’s education, occupation and marital discord; household/community-related: socioeconomic status, social support, religion and consanguinity. Results The prevalence of IPV was 3.7%. Factors that were significantly associated on multivariate analysis were higher age (above 20 years) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.82 [1.12–2.97], p=0.016) and presence of depression (AOR 6.84 [1.76–26.61], p=0.005). Conclusion The prevalence of IPV was less in our study population compared to figures reported from other Indian study settings.

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Vaginal probiotic adherence and acceptability in Rwandan women with high sexual risk participating in a pilot randomised controlled trial: a mixed-methods approach

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031819 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e031819

Author(s):

Marijn C Verwijs ◽

Stephen Agaba ◽

Marie Michele Umulisa ◽

Mireille Uwineza ◽

Adrien Nivoliez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mixed Methods ◽

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Vaginal Infections ◽

Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Steady Partner ◽

Face To Face ◽

Male Clients ◽

Randomised Controlled

ObjectivesTo evaluate adherence and acceptability of intermittent vaginal probiotic or antibiotic use to prevent bacterial vaginosis (BV) recurrence.DesignRepeated adherence and acceptability assessments using mixed methods within a pilot randomised controlled trial.SettingResearch clinic in Kigali, Rwanda.ParticipantsRwandan women with high sexual risk.InterventionsWomen diagnosed with BV and/or trichomoniasis were randomised to four groups (n=17 each) after completing metronidazole treatment: behavioural counselling only, or behavioural counselling plus 2-month intermittent use of oral metronidazole, Ecologic Femi+ (EF+) vaginal capsule or Gynophilus LP (GynLP) vaginal tablet.Outcome measuresAdherence and acceptability were assessed by structured face-to-face interviews, semi-structured focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, daily diaries and counting of used/unused study products in randomised women (n=68). Vaginal infection knowledge was assessed by structured face-to-face interviews in randomised women and women attending recruitment sessions (n=131).ResultsMost women (93%) were sex workers, 99.2% were unfamiliar with BV and none had ever used probiotics. All probiotic users (n=32) reported that insertion became easier over time. Triangulated adherence data showed that 17/17 EF+ users and 13/16 GynLP users used ≥80% of required doses (Fisher’s exact p=0.103). Younger age (p=0.076), asking many questions at enrolment (p=0.116), having menses (p=0.104) and reporting urogenital symptoms (p=0.103) were non-significantly associated with lower perfect adherence. Women believed that the probiotics reduced BV recurrence, but reported that partners were sometimes unsupportive of study participation. Self-reported vaginal washing practices decreased during follow-up, but sexual risk behaviours did not. Most women (12/15) with an uncircumcised steady partner discussed penile hygiene with him, but many women found this difficult, especially with male clients.ConclusionsHigh-risk women require education about vaginal infections. Vaginal probiotic acceptability and adherence were high in this cohort. Our results can be used to inform future product development and to fine-tune counselling messages in prevention programmes.Trial registration numberNCT02459665.

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